Backyard Makeover Basics: From Plants to Privacy

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Discover the importance of knowing the purpose 
• Learn how to think in zones and observe the backyard 
• Understand why privacy matters
• Uncover how to plan the budget and make maintenance easy 

‘You can journey to the ends of the earth in search of success, but if you’re lucky, you will discover happiness in your own backyard,’ says Russell Conwell. So, how can someone create happiness in their own backyard?

Well, the answer is to take it to the level of beauty and peace that it gives comfort and happiness to your entire soul. Wondering how to do that? By giving it a makeover. 

Don’t worry, backyard makeovers do not always need a big budget; sometimes, all they need is a good plan. Read this blog carefully and learn more about it. 

Start With Purpose

Excited? Good, but don’t rush. Think about what outcome you actually want, or what the main goal of the makeover is. Ask yourself these questions:

• What activities do I want to do here? (Gardening, party hosting, reading) 
• Do I really need a place for kids to play? 
• What vibe am I going for? (comfy, rustic, or sleek) 

Take a Good Look Around

Finalized the purpose? Now observe the backyard, keeping that purpose in mind: 

To Keep: Think about the items you want to keep even after the makeover, it could be a favorite plant, a coffee table, or decor.

What’s needed: Look around and observe what is lacking. It could be privacy, enough shade, or color. 

Space: See how much space the backyard has to execute the makeover on. 

Based on this, draw a rough sketch. It does need to be perfect because later it will help with the layout and measuring. 

Think in Zones

Plants need space, and different types have different roles. A mix, a lot of people like: 

• Evergreens for structure all year
• Perennials for color that come back 
• Vines to soften fences and walls
• Ground covers to reduce weeding

Everything has its own role. Big trees add more privacy, and small ones with flowers bring color. Want something low-maintenance? Just go for negative grasses or succulents. 

Match Furniture to the Space

Picking furniture for the backyard is not that tough; all you have to do is keep a few things in mind while buying it: 

Size: Keep in mind that big furniture can overwhelm the space, and tiny ones can get lost in it. So pick the one that actually enhances the beauty of the backyard.  

Materials: Backyards are mostly open areas, so choosing the right materials automatically becomes important. Go for materials like Teak, aluminum, or resin. 

Color: Try to keep it close to neutral, to match the vibe.

Privacy Matters More Than People Think

Don’t you freak out if you notice someone creepily watching you while you are relaxing? Forget about reality, it’s even crazier when imagining it. Don’t want to be a victim of it? These are some simple fixes: 

Fencing: Fencing is common and a great option for privacy, and at the same time, it looks aesthetic too. (Before buying, calculate how much fencing is required). 

Plant barriers: Use tall shrubs or trees, or bamboo, to create a natural barrier.

Outdoor scenes: This one is quite amazing, because while being functional, it is decorative too. Also, it blocks views without closing your space entirely.  

Plan Your Budget and Do It in Stages

Without planning, a backyard makeover can turn into a heavy expense. Try to break all the spending into chunks: 

• Plants and soils 
• Furniture and outdoor stuff 
• Pavers, gravel, edging 
• fence, and privacy items 
• Any other labor or tool 

Once done with this, try to create a realistic budget according to this spending list. If the budget is too tight, give priority to things that are more important than others, like installing fencing. To save more money, look for sales or DIY things you can do. 

Keep Maintenance Easy

A beautiful backyard should bring beauty and calmness, not the chaos of maintenance. Want to enjoy it, not babysit it? Do this: 

Pick low-maintenance plants that suit your area’s weather and need little care. 

Go for decorative stones or mulch instead of grass in some areas to lower the mowing area. 

Set up a simple watering system for plants, like drip irrigation, which will save you time and effort. 

Final Tip

If your backyard makeover is taking time, that’s totally okay. This project is not a DIY project that will be completed in 5 minutes. Don’t rush. Give every part enough time to actually work and look good. 

With time, you’ll see piece by piece, everything coming together and making a beautiful picture. 

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